USCIS proposes increasing application fees by 21% or more

[aroabi 21]

On 11/11/2019 at 8:06 AM, NYCQueens2017 said:

USCIS is required to conduct biennial reviews of the fees.  The biennial period of this review is FY 2019 and FY 2020.  My interpretation, therefore, is that the effective date mentioned on the review, will kick in between October 1st 2020 and September 30th 2021, if the proposal is approved.  

 

It seems that the originally proposed fee amount will be reduced. Are you going to apply for n-400? I am also a February 2019 filer. Thinking of submitting the n-400, but the NYC is so slow with the n-400 applications. If the fee increase is not going to take in effect until Q3 2020 I may as well wait.

[Philly2017 35]

On 11/14/2019 at 10:03 PM, NYCQueens2017 said:

Reading this again, I believe that I have misinterpreted the meaning of the effective date.  It looks like that the goal is to adjust fees on or before September 30th, 2020, which is the end of the second year of the biennial period.

 

Comparing to the previous proposed rule and increase in fees on 12/23/2016, a rough estimate for the effective date of the current increase would be mid to late May 2020.

 

Let me know if anyone has different thoughts or views on this.

@aroabi Please see my most recent post above.

 

1 hour ago, aroabi said:

It seems that the originally proposed fee amount will be reduced. Are you going to apply for n-400? I am also a February 2019 filer. Thinking of submitting the n-400, but the NYC is so slow with the n-400 applications. If the fee increase is not going to take in effect until Q3 2020 I may as well wait.

@aroabi I believe the goal is to adjust fees on or before 9/30/2020.  I’m considering waiting for my ROC approval before applying for my N-400.  In a scenario that the effective date of the increase in fees is approaching and I have no updates on my I-751, I will go ahead and file for N-400 if my window has opened.  No reason to spend more $$$ if you’re eligible to apply before the increase.

[bigjailerman 318]

On 11/11/2019 at 12:26 AM, Soul Mates said:

Also they want to charge separately for employment authorization ($490) and travel document ($585) when filing for adjustment of status, no longer letting people get it for free. Currently its $1,225 including biometrics, they want to change it to $2,195 to adjust status and get employment authorization and permission to travel, a 79% increase. (see page 86 on linked pdf) 😬

This pricing increase is absurd in my opinion

[aroabi 21]

On 12/13/2019 at 7:31 PM, NYCQueens2017 said:

@aroabi Please see my most recent post above.

 

@aroabi I believe the goal is to adjust fees on or before 9/30/2020.  I’m considering waiting for my ROC approval before applying for my N-400.  In a scenario that the effective date of the increase in fees is approaching and I have no updates on my I-751, I will go ahead and file for N-400 if my window has opened.  No reason to spend more $$$ if you’re eligible to apply before the increase.

Thanks for your reply. It makes sense. Let's hope that the VSC will start moving a little faster.

I do not know if they they will drag the fee increase to 9/30/20. I read somewhere that after the public review/comment (Dec 30th) it will take a few month to go into effect.

[TastyCake 232]

Zen question of the day:  If these fee increases are approved by the DHS and going forward the USCIS doesn't consummate a beneficiary's EAD and AP prior to him/her receiving a Green Card, will they kick those newly imposed fees BACK to the petitioner/beneficiary?

 

Yeah, you can insert your raucous laughter here but, if they would kick those fees back, what an incentive for them to move quicker on EAD and AP applications. 

[catdog514 34]

On 11/14/2019 at 10:03 PM, NYCQueens2017 said:

Reading this again, I believe that I have misinterpreted the meaning of the effective date.  It looks like that the goal is to adjust fees on or before September 30th, 2020, which is the end of the second year of the biennial period.

 

Comparing to the previous proposed rule and increase in fees on 12/23/2016, a rough estimate for the effective date of the current increase would be mid to late May 2020.

 

Let me know if anyone has different thoughts or views on this.

Ouch, I hope you're wrong. My window for N-400 opens 6/27/20... Guess we'll have to plan for the increased amount in case. I really feel bad for the folks who will have to pay the AOS fees after this!

[jakelake 222]

There have always been increases.

$1170 will seem like a bargain when another increase happens. 

The current fee of $725 is definitely expensive when you consider that in 1985 the N-400 fee was under $50!

[cd37 229]

On 11/9/2019 at 11:25 AM, CDN(ON)-USA(VT) said:

I just looked at the federal register document and it looks like USCIS is in a deficit currently as it costs USCIS $871 for the naturalization process which is a loss of $231. If they increase the fee to $1170 they would make a profit. The $1,170 is aside from the $85 biometric fee which would bring the total to $1,255 if the proposal went through.  

Yeah fine with increase if they reduce this long long wait times for all applications. We dont want USCIS to lose money.

[cd37 229]

On 12/10/2019 at 11:08 AM, Shiran said:

Why is there a rush to have premium processing for citizenship? I can understand need for premium processing for EAD I - 765 and I-485 as person is severely restricted in their life in US, but citizenship is an optioanl cherry on a completed cake. If anything it comes with its own trouble like having to do "jury duty" and "vote" More trouble than it is worse. The only significant benefit that I see is faster processing for family reunification purposes. 

FYI, for some people, citizenship is required to gain certain kind of jobs. So depends on situation.

[Redheadguy03 505]

On 2/1/2020 at 5:51 PM, cd37 said:

FYI, for some people, citizenship is required to gain certain kind of jobs. So depends on situation.

Exactly, my job actually requires citizenship. 

[Ready to do it 101]

My wife told me they are raising the fee for n-400 and the deadline is tomorrow.  Is this accurate?  I haven't found anything online stating the fees are increasing tomorrow.  I have read that they plan to increase the fee for n-400 to $1,170 in the future, but I haven't found anything stating the increase starts tomorrow as my wife informed me.  Any info on this?

[Scandi 4,173]

6 hours ago, Ready to do it said:

My wife told me they are raising the fee for n-400 and the deadline is tomorrow.  Is this accurate?  I haven't found anything online stating the fees are increasing tomorrow.  I have read that they plan to increase the fee for n-400 to $1,170 in the future, but I haven't found anything stating the increase starts tomorrow as my wife informed me.  Any info on this?

The fee will likely go up but there is no date for it yet, and it definitely won't happen tomorrow. Many seem to believe it'll happen in October 2020, but who knows.. 

[FROWNcat 24]

I've been eligible for citizenship for nearly two years... maybe I should apply some time soon. 

[nykolos 711]

Love is priceless, as is entry into the United States.. If USCIS is losing money, they can raise the fees to whatever amount makes them whole and I'd be fine with it.  With ONE exception, that they process these applications in a timely manner,  For the K1, 8-12 months is unacceptable.

 

Edited February 15, 2020 by nykolos

[ultrasoul 51]

On 12/14/2019 at 5:24 PM, bigjailerman said:

This pricing increase is absurd in my opinion

The pricing increase is not absurd if you consider the current political climate on reducing legal immigration volume.

 

There have already been bills voted on but failed to pass in Congress from eliminating the OPT EAD program to reducing immigration volume by eliminating parent and sibling sponsorship by US citizens and sponsorship of children above 18 by PR/ US citizens.

 

To sidestep Congressional inaction, the easiest way is to effect changes in government departments like the USCIS and DOS make immigration more expensive and more difficult. Public charge rule already now in effect for all new USCIS filings effective today Feb 24- all future adjustment of status candidates must file an additional 13 pages on full disclosure of their financial assets etc and more importantly gives USCIS officers ability to deny green card applications if they think you are likely to become a public charge in the future (subjective not an objective interpretation).

 

Increase of fees to the point of absurdity is definitely another very effective means to price immigration out of those who cannot afford it.

 

The more important question to ask is what other measures will happen from 2020 to 2024 given a re-election of the current regime is going to be more than likely.

 

 

Edited February 24, 2020 by ultrasoul